'ambiguously-associated' originates from the combination of 'ambiguous' and 'associate', where 'ambiguous' comes from Latin 'ambiguus', meaning 'doubtful' or 'uncertain', and 'associate' from Latin 'associatus', meaning 'joined with'.

'Ambiguus' transformed into the Old French word 'ambigu', and eventually became the modern English word 'ambiguous'. 'Associatus' transformed into the Old French word 'associer', and eventually became the modern English word 'associate'.

Initially, 'ambiguous' meant 'doubtful or uncertain', and 'associate' meant 'joined with'. Over time, 'ambiguously-associated' evolved to mean 'having a connection that is not clearly defined'.